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Review

2001
Mitsubishi
Montero Sport Review

More than the sum of its parts.

Reviewed by Automotive on
1/28/2001

Overview

The 2001 Mitsubishi Montero Sport remains arguably one of the most attractive SUVs on the market. For 2001, Mitsubishi focuses on beautifying the inside, too, with a re-engineered body for greater safety and an engine tweaked for better fuel economy and lower emissions.

The Mitsubishi Montero Sport serves as the younger brother to the larger, more sophisticated Montero. Despite having a larger engine, the Montero Sport still struggles a bit on steep climbs. Drivers hear the four-speed transmission searching for the correct gears. Drivers who opt for four-wheel drive seem happy with the placement of the shift lever. The Montero boasts a whopping seven grab handles for rough terrain.

A limited-slip differential provides an option on two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive models as part of the XLS premium package. It comes standard on the Limited. But even with this option, the Montero Sport prefers driving on the road. This truck-based SUV comes theoretically suited for off-road adventures, but it better suffices for exploring the city with a few friends.

What's New

The 2001 Mitsubishi Montero Sport comes in the base level ES in a four-wheel drive configuration. The XS starts new for 2001, with a 3.5-liter V-6, the same engine found in the higher-priced Limited.

Exterior

The 2001 Mitsubishi Montero Sport has a lower roofline than previous years, and the shorter profile makes it even more attractive. Even with the lower height, it still manages to perch high off the road, with about eight inches of ground clearance. Montero Sport owners want a nice-looking SUV, and Mitsubishi delivers with a body-colored front bumper, a cross-hatched black grille, compelling body side molding, and16-inch alloy wheels.

The LS features 16-inch alloy wheels, side steps, a luggage rack, anti-lock brakes, and rear privacy glass. The XLS gets you integrated fog lamps, eight-spoke alloy wheels, and keyless entry. The 3.5 XS features matt-black exterior trim and comes in only two colors: Solano Black or Phoenix Red.

Interior

The 2001 Montero Sport offers a surprising amount of interior room given its size, featuring two cup holders in the center console and 12V front and 12V rear power outlets. It offers ample cargo room with the rear seatback folded down, even more than what appears in the Chevrolet Blazer, Isuzu Rodeo, or Nissan Pathfinder. The 2001 Mitsubishi Montero Sport could offer slightly more headroom but it includes plenty of legroom for three adults in the back seat. For those less concerned with cargo space, the Montero goes easy on the eyes too. The design feels surprisingly comfortable, with lumbar support in the front seats and attractive, two-tone trim. The ES comes with power windows and door locks, an in-dash single CD player with an AM/FM stereo, tilt steering, an overhead console, and a folding rear seat. The LS includes a 60/40 split-folding rear seat as well.

Performance & Handling

The 2001 Mitsubishi Montero Sport has plenty of power under the hood to get you onto the freeway with a bang. The handling feels smooth whether you drive in stop-and-go traffic or wind your way up a mountain. Despite the fact that the Montero Sport uses a truck chassis, the ride does not fell as bumpy as you’d expect. Mitsubishi does a good job of minimizing the car noise associated with models in this class.

The smaller 3.0-liter, 173-horsepower engine comes standard on all models except the Limited and XS. The Limited contains a 3.5-liter, 200-horsepower V-6.